The Nuggets are near having their high 9 rotation gamers wholesome and accessible for the season opener.
Peyton Watson participated totally in Sunday’s observe for the primary time “in virtually 5 weeks now,” coach Michael Malone stated. The 22-year-old striker suffered a gentle tissue damage to the hamstring days earlier than coaching camp, forcing him to overlook Denver’s 5 preseason video games.
The Nuggets nonetheless anticipate Watson to be accessible for opening night time, Thursday at Ball Enviornment in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
“We’ll see how this damage and the way this muscle responds to what he did at this time,” Malone stated Sunday. “As a result of tomorrow the hope is to introduce much more issues offensively. …I wish to blow it up tomorrow. We’ll be on the primary subject, which can be good to lastly be capable of get there and play possibly three or 4 12-minute quarters. And I hope Peyton feels properly sufficient to have the ability to get via a minimum of a few of these (shifts) tomorrow.
Watson, who was drafted thirtieth general in 2022performed 80 video games with the Nuggets final season, averaging 6.7 factors, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. His minutes decreased within the second spherical of the playoffs, as Malone felt the necessity to prioritize scoring and flooring spacing in opposition to the Timberwolves’ top-ranked protection. A 25% exterior shooter within the common season, Watson was usually left open on the perimeter in every of the primary two rounds.
However this season, his position will improve much more. Malone had known as Watson, Julian Strawther, Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric complementary gamers who might kind Denver’s second unit.
“Peyton, I’m not pretending he’s Dr. J, (however) we’d like him,” Malone stated. “The issues he brings to the desk, he’s going to be an essential piece for this crew. His athleticism, his versatility. I see him working in that second unit with a man like Russell Westbrook. I feel these two can get alongside rather well. So simply with Peyton Watson coming again right here, I used to be comfortable for him. As a result of speak about getting injured on the worst doable time, as you enter coaching camp and miss all 5 preseason video games.
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